Alonso rejected 2019 Red Bull move
- Published on 23 Aug 2018 16:30
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Fernando Alonso has revealed that he rejected an offer from Red Bull to join them for the 2019 season. The Spaniard will leave Formula 1 at the end of the year, stating that the current predictably of the sport prompted his decision to leave.
A seat opened up at Red Bull at the beginning of August, when Daniel Ricciardo announced a shock move to Renault. Ricciardo was set to remain with Red Bull for another two years before he made up his mind and penned a deal with the French outfit.
Talking to Formula 1's official podcast a number of weeks ago, Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner said that it wouldn't be the healthiest thing for the team if Alonso joined them.
"I have huge respect for Fernando, he is a great driver, a fantastic driver, but it's very difficult...he's tended to cause a bit of chaos wherever he's gone," Horner told F1's official podcast. I'm not sure it would be the healthiest thing for the team for Fernando to join. Our preference is to continue to invest in youth than take a driver who is obviously close to the end of his career."
However, Sky Sports F1 state that Alonso revealed to them in an interview that he had an offer to be partnered with Max Verstappen next season. Red Bull will switch to Honda power next year, ending its long-standing partnership with Renault.
Alonso drove for McLaren during its 2015 to 2017 Honda period but never claimed a result higher than fifth. He will walk away from the sport at the end of the year and is expected to take up a seat in IndyCar for 2019.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (15)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
LOL some seriously wounded pride at RB... losing two of their best drivers brought up through their system, and then being turned down by a driver many thought was desperate for a better drive...
michielhimself
Posts: 132
If there's anything Alonso's history in F1 should have taught us, it's don't believe everything Alonso says.
NEXT SPARE VAMP
Posts: 1,874
Ofcouse Alonso is lying once again.
michielhimself
Posts: 132
In hindsight and after Sainz's quite genuine clarification in yesterday's press conference, the La Marca rumour that Verstappen had vetoed Sainz's promotion to the Red Bull seat, may have come from Alonso rather than from Sainz sr.
NEXT SPARE VAMP
Posts: 1,874
He's obviously afraid of Verstappen!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Either he or RB lies. Or both at once. Knowing them both, the latter is fully possible... And dont ask me how, because I dont know. Im a skinless man, not a 2nd rate Mysterio!
Hepp
Posts: 200
My guess is the offer came from a drunk Dr. Helmuttonhead when Alonso made it clear he wasn't happy with the Ferrari management mid season.
blade
Posts: 341
Wow - let's see if Brundle and or Coulthard and co. can develop this one at race weekend - fascinating - isn't Alonso's manager Briatore - another chap not exactly renown for total integrity - I wonder whether it was an exploratory chat that's was massaged into an offer by Briatore and that's what All has commented on......... total F1.
denis1304
Posts: 284
it's possible RB offered him some low ball offer thinking he is desperate for a drive
Epol611
Posts: 408
Red Bull have denied a claim by Fernando Alonso that he was twice offered a drive with them next season before he decided to retire from Formula 1 at the end of this year.
The 37-year-old said Red Bull offered him the seat being vacated by Daniel Ricciardo, who is joining Renault.
"F1 is not giving me the challenges I'm looking for. It was not the case for me to join this adventure," said Alonso.
But the Austrian team said Alonso was never made an offer.
Earlier this week, Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko said Alonso "doesn't fit with us".
xoya
Posts: 583
Damn. Since Alonso rejected them (allegedly) they will surely win the title next year.
f1ski
Posts: 726
thinking the same thing
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Gotta hand him that he's got an God given talent to create problems everywhere. It's definitely more of an Alonso figment because if he did get that seat offered he would have been taken it by his own admission. Redbull or any other team would want a turncoat in its team.
Patentprutser
Posts: 388
RB never offered him a seat, Sky Sports F1 is telling b*llshit.
2GRX7
Posts: 108
Yeah, not buying the RB yappin'! I just look at the historical commenting from Horner and Helmut (Horner and the Vettel/Webber incident at Malaysian GP).
It sounds like the same type of slippery monologues of the past-the only difference: they're using Alonso's tarnished image/honor and capitalizing on the belief that most listeners aren't going to give Alonso the benefit of the doubt!
To me, that ranks R.B. under a pile of, well, ya'll know!
Not an Alonso fan after what he did to McLaren, but I'm a fair one.